Purson – Desire’s Magic Theatre

Purson is one of the most hyped rock bands in 2016. Their style fits the trend of 2016 perfectly, and many have been singing their praise before this, their second album, “Desire’s Magic Theatre” was released.

Purson, or should I say Rosalie Cunningham, because she is after all the main songwriter, guitarist and vocalist in this psychedelic rock band, takes us back in time. But there is a lot more to this band that meets the eye: their influences are clearly going way, way back to the mid 60s and early 70s, with influences coming from many areas: folk, prog, gothic, jazz, psychedelic and classic rock, and Rosalie describes their music as “vaudeville carny psych”.

She might have been born a few decades too late, because this is pure flower power music and they do not stop with the music, no this is the whole package, including clothes and image. And they pay tribute to many of the big names of that era, like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Fairport Convention, Black Sabbath, The Doors and Jethro Tull in their music.

And the references do not stop there; the flower power scene was off course also known for it’s heavy use of drugs and just take a look at the album title: “Desire’s Magic Theatre”. DMT is the abbreviation of the hallucinogenic drug Dimethyltryptamine, which should have effects similar to magic mushrooms and LSD. The use of colours in the booklet and in their videos takes us back in time as well.

But does it work? Sure does, they come across as one of the most unique new bands in recent years. Their style might not be for everyone, but there’s no denying that this is something special and extraordinary. I might not be quite as fascinated by Purson as I was by Blues Pills, but they are pretty damn close.

They have managed to capture the sound and vibe of a long forgotten era of music, and have so much to offer. I am not the only one, who thinks the hype is justified!

So choose your favourite hallucinogen: it might just be called Purson.

Tracklist:

1. Desire’s Magic Theatre
2. Electric Landlady
3. Dead Dodo Down
4. Pedigree Chums
5. The Sky Parade
6. The Window Cleaner
7. The Way It Is
8. Mr. Howard
9. I Know
10. The Bitter Suite

Playing Time: 45:52

Release date: April 29, 2016

Label: Spinefarm Records

Website: www.purson.co.uk